Early morning message: “We’re on our way!” Well, that was good news. We had been wondering whether Ann and Nigel would manage to get to us this morning. Petrol is difficult to come by in London.
As it turned out, having got up at 6 o’clock this morning to make the journey up to the Midlands, they arrived before everyone else. We had suggested everyone muster chez nous at 9.30 a.m. However, not everyone was there at the appointed hour, so five of us walked up to Oakes’ and everyone else followed on in their cars.
It was a beautiful morning for a walk, and there was a cool breeze, which I was glad of. It blew the cobwebs away!
At the Farm Shop we sat at the table reserved for us and then chose our breakfasts. I made a note of everyone’s order and took it to the till, where it transpired that there was a malfunction. “We’re sorry, but the till has broken down.” Poor girl had to write out our table-of-ten order all by hand. Uh-oh! We’re going to have to wait ages for food now, aren’t we?
But no. The service was brilliant. Prompt and accurate – well, to within a narrow margin of error in our favour – an extra tea and an extra Americano on a table of ten, which ain’t bad, is it??
We’d arrived at 10 o’clock. We didn’t leave until 12.30. Gosh, it was good. Food was lovely and the company was wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Soon, however, we realised the time and people were starting to think about their journeys home. As everyone had come up from London, we empathised. It’s a bit of a trip up/down the motorway. “Let’s have a group photo before we go!!” we declared, as we all filed outside. “Yes! Let’s!” everyone agreed, as there then ensued a general discussion about where to stand; who would take the photo; whose phone to use? Perhaps another ‘click and run’ time-delay on Kelv’s phone, like we did last night, to much giggling?
No…… as luck would have it, there was my friend, Chris Price, from church, sitting on bench outside with another friend, Hannah. When asked, Chris willingly agreed to take the photo. So we giggled and huddled and gathered round until we all fitted in and…… click! There we were. Lovely. A bit windswept and squinting into the sun, but a great memory of a wonderful get-together.
Afterwards, with the exception of Ann and Nigel, who came to ours for a cuppa and slice of cake, everyone set off home, after much hugging and saying how lovely it had been to see each other and ‘we must do it all again, soon…….’
Once home, we four had more refreshments and chatted for ages and ages until Ann and Nigel, too, started thinking about getting back on the road. Sunday afternoon traffic to London can be a nightmare.
Left to our own devices, we did a bit of pottering about, tidying up and sorting out the washing before we plonked ourselves in front of the the TV – and there we stayed all evening. John inspected the back of his eyelids for quite a long time as the programmes rolled by, however……… good man – just what he needed – a rest. He’d had a busy weekend.
Meanwhile, the COVID train rattles on. 30,439 people tested positive for the virus today. 43 deaths in the community. 755 people in hospital with it. And a 15-year-old girl died of it this week. Clearly, nothing to see here…….
Take care everyone. Hope the week ahead is good to you. God bless.